COLUMBUS (Colon), Diego (in It., Giacomo) (c.1468-1515). The youngest brother of Christopher Columbus. He was born probably at Genoa and upon the news of his brother's great discovery came to Spain. He accompanied Christopher on his second voyage, and late in 1493 was at the head of a commission intrusted with the government of Española in the absence of the Admiral. In 1496 he went to Spain to defend his brother against the charges submitted by some of the unruly members of the colony. He returned to Española, but fell into disgrace and was sent in chains to Spain in the year 1500. A number of years before his death he entered the Church.